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2005 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

206 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports14 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. …

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SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC SINCE NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT THEIR OWN WILL, THE CLOCK LOOSES TIME CONSTANTLY, AND THE NOISE HAS GOT A LOT WORSE AND SO HAS THE GEAR SHIFTING. THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY SAY SHOWED THE DUAL FANS ARE BOTH BURNED OUT. IF THEY ARE BURNED OUT WHY ARE THEY STILL MAKING A LOUD NOISE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF? THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTS BUT ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THEY CANNOT KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC WILL NOT PICK UP ON A BAD TRANSMISSION ONLY A TOTALLY FAILED ONE. WHICH THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY THEN. THESE CARS HAVE OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED. AFTER HAVING ALL THIS PROBLEM I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND WAS ASTONISHED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. SLOW AND HARD SHIFTS, WIPERS, CAR ACTING AS IF IT IS STALLING, CLOCK LOSING TIME, BATTERY GOING BAD TOO QUICK. BRAKES CONSTANTLY BAD. THIS CAR IS JUST A LEMON. WHY WILL THE GOVERNMENT NOT DO A TOTAL RECALL. THERE IS TOOOOOOO MUCH WRONG WITH TOOOOO MANY OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341888

71,207 miles · Feb 3, 2009
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND, FINALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT DIMMED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MOBILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE MONTH AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWELVE MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,707 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,207. UPDATED 03-09-09 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOISEY AND WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/12/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10257289

23,635 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE AIR FILTER; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE DEALER WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE AIR FILTER; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,635 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE COSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SMELL WAS FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10208153

10,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGH…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140929

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-13-05 CONCERNING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP. A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER , AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET HER IN UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7-20-05 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIT HER INTO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLAMP YET. CONSUMER REQU…

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DT: CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-13-05 CONCERNING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP. A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER , AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET HER IN UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7-20-05 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIT HER INTO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLAMP YET. CONSUMER REQUESTED A LOANER AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER. CONSUMER CALLED A CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE LISTED ON THE RECALL LETTER TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A LOANER, AND THE ADVOCATE TOLD HER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL SHE SMELLED GASOLINE, AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE ADVOCATE SUGGESTED CONSUMER CONTACT OTHER DEALERS TO TAKE HER CAR IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT SHE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER THAN NECESSARY. ALL OF THE OTHER DEALERS WERE VERY FAR AWAY, AND THE RECALL STATES THERE WAS A DANGER OF A FIRE. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NAME, CITY, AND STATE OF THE DEALER SHE CALLED .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128741

Official recalls

4

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 24, 2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

05V305000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINE, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

04V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Dec 15, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.